Liverpool are set to continue their Premier League campaign as they take on Tottenham Hotspur this Saturday, December 20, 2025. However, the team faces a significant challenge with star forward Mohamed Salah unavailable, prompting manager Arne Slot to make some unexpected adjustments to the squad.
To compensate for Salah’s absence, Slot has reshuffled his attacking formation. Florian Wirtz has been positioned on the left wing, while Dominik Szoboszlai takes up a more central or right-sided role. Additionally, the midfield has been bolstered, with several key players added to strengthen control in the center of the pitch.
Despite these strategic changes, one decision has sparked intense debate among Liverpool supporters: Alexander Isak has been omitted from the starting lineup. Fans have taken to social media to voice their frustration, questioning why the striker isn’t given a chance in a fixture that could suit his style of play.
On X (formerly Twitter), reactions range from disbelief to outright criticism. LFCLaurie commented, “We’ve had a full week to prepare, and after not starting against Brighton, Isak still isn’t in the starting eleven. I don’t get it.” Similarly, James Wathland expressed strong disapproval, calling it “criminal” to bench Isak. Other fans, like Chambo, acknowledged the lineup choice but remained confident about Liverpool’s chances, while KP07 highlighted Isak’s potential impact in a game where he could exploit space effectively.
Slot’s decision underscores the balancing act managers face when top players are unavailable, but for many fans, Isak’s absence is a glaring omission. The team will need to prove that their reshuffled lineup can deliver results against Spurs, as supporters eagerly await kick-off to see if Slot’s tactical gamble pays off.
